Fuel-reserve-supply system for self-propelled vehicles



F. JERDONE, JR. FUEL BESER VE SUPPLY SYSTEIVI FOR SELF PROPELLED VEHIC LES.

APPLICATION FII=ED MAY 26. I919.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

. INVENTOR. franc/s Jeroa e Mr.

A T10RNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS JERDONE, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE WIL-LYSOVERLAND COMPANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921..

Application filed May 26, 1919. Serial No. 299,863. I

To aZZw from it may concern Be it known thatI, FRANCIS Jnnnonn, Jr, residing at Toledo, county of Lucas, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fuel-ReserveSupply Systems for Self-Propelled Vehicles, of which I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to a fuel reserve supply system for self propelled vehicles, and has for its object to provide simple and inexpensive means by which a reserve supply of fuel may be maintained in the main fuel supply tank, from which the fuel is fed to the engine.

Another object of the invention is provide improved means adapted to be connected in the vacuum fuel feed system of an internal combustion engine, which will automatically stop the flow of fuelfrom the main fuel supply tank when the fuel therein has been reduced to a predetermined amount.

Another object of the invention is to provide improvedv means for controlling the discharge of fuel from a receptacle, said means being adapted for connection with any suitable form of aspirator, and arranged to extend into said receptacle to automatr cally stop the flow of fuel therefrom when it reaches a predetermined level therein.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved liquid control'device comprising an air tight closure arranged to be connected with an asgirator and. adapted to be inserted in a liquid holding receptacle, and carrying means which will serve to antomatically stop the flow of liquid from the receptacle when it falls below a predetermined level therein, said means being adjustable to permit the use of the liquid in the receptacle below said level and being; adapted to move automatically from said adjusted position when the liquid in the receptacle rises slightly above said level. i

To these and other ends the invention comprises certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, as will be here-' inafter inore'fully pointed out and claimed, it being understood that the construction is susceptible to various modifications not shown in the drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention, as ex,- pressed in the claims. I

A structure constituting one embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accomtary section taken through the lower end, of the suction tube and valve shown in Fig.

II, and y V Fig/V is a detailed perspective view of a spring; serving as a guide and holder for the valve rod as shown in Fig. III.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

, Referring to the drawings, 10 represents an internal combustion engine having a carburetor 11 and an intake. manifold '12. A vacuum feed tank 13 isconnected with said carburetor and manifold by means of conduits l4 and 15 respectively, while the main fuel supply tank lti is connected with said vacuum tank by means of a conduit 17, as shown in Fig. I. Theparts just described are intended to representdiagrammatically a suitable vacuum fuellfeed system for conveying' fuel from the main fuel supply tank to the carburetor ofthe engine in a well known manner. In carrying out the present invention a tube or casing 46 is threaded into the upper wall of the tank 16 as indicated at 47, and is provided with a downwardly extending reducedtubular portion 48 having a plug 49 in the lower end thereof provided with a fuel inlet opening adapted to be closed by a valve 50 on'the stem 51, which eX- extends upwardly through saidtubularportion 48 into the enlarged portion 46013 the tube, where it is provided with a laterally extending portion 52 adapted to engage the spring holder53 in the notch 54 at the upper end thereof when it is desired to hold the valve in open position as shown in Fig. III. A head 55on the lateral portion 52of the rod serves to prevent displacement of the spring until such time as said lateral portion is lifted out of the notch 54 to effect the release of the rod'in a manner which will presently be described. The spring 53 is 3O 7 through the tube as the hook bolt 65 is relabent upon itself as indicated at 56 and is secured to the bottom of the casing 46 by means ofa screw 57, the bent portion 56 being extended as indicated at 58 and provided with an opening 59 through which the rod 51eXtends and by which it is guided to move centrally of the tube 48 when shifted longitudinally therein. 60 is mounted to travel upon the tube 48 exteriorly thereof and is provided with a downwardly extending yoke 61 having outwardly bent ends 62 connected with the float 60 by meansof the-bolts 63 as shown in Fig. II. The lower transverse portion 64 of the yoke is provided with an opening adapted to receive a hook bolt or screw 65 of considerably less diameter than the opening, said screw being extended upwardly into threaded engagement with the stem 66 of the valve 50 as shown in Fig. IV.- The valve 50 is connected with the stem 51 preferably by a reduced threaded portion 67 screwed into the upper face of the valve centrally thereof. The opening 68 in the transverse portion 64 of the yoke is slightly larger in diameter thanthe fuel inlet opening in the plug 49, and although said transverse portion 64 may becarried upwardly by the float until it engages the bottom of the tube 48, it will not prevent the flow of fuel adjustment of the float 60 upon the tube 48. to effect an increase or decrease in the amount of fuel-in the tank at the time the valve closes, thereby providing means for varying the reserve supply of fuel when desired. The casing 46 is providedwith a screwcap 69 having upon the'lower face thereof a washer 7 6 engaging the upper peripheral edge of the casing for the purpose ofrendering the latter air-tight. A strainer 71 is mounted in the casing 46 and is connected with a plate 72 screwed upon the inner end of the conduitl'? to prevent the passage therethrough of any foreign matter.

' The invention may be assembled as a unit 7 andscrewed into proper position as shown,

after which the tube 17 is screwed into the casing 46' and the strainer 71 then placed thereon.

In use, this device operates to give notice when the supply of fuel in the tank '16 has decreased to a predetermined minimum. lVhen the tank is filled, thefloat 60 holds yoke 64 up against the bottom of the tube 48. When the level of fuel descends far enough, the float begins to descend and as off the further passage of fuel from the tank to the tube 48. Thereupon the gas engine or other apparatus being operated by the fuel ceases to function. By this means the oper-- ator is informed of the fact that hisfuel is low. If a supply of fuel is 'at hand, he naturally refills the tank, but if none is at hand as' in the case of an automobile on the road, the operator removes the cap 69 from the casing 46 and lifts the valve stem 51 manually, hooking its upper end into the bifurcated extremity ofthe spring holder 53 as shown in Fig-III, thus supportingthe 'valve 50 out of contact with its seat. The

of dust and dirt into the apparatus as well as a possible loss of the cap 69, should the automobile happen to be in the hands of careless or absent-minded drivers. lVhen the tank is again filled, the float 69 rises, oarrying with it the valve stem 51 until the latter releases itself from the holder 53, which being of resilient materiahsprings back into the position in which it is shown in Fig. 11, where it will not interfere with the movement of the stem 51 in either direction.

lVhile I have shown the invention as being connected with the vacuum fuel feed system of an internal combustion engine, it will be understood thatany suitable form of aspirator maybe connected with theorising 46, and that the device is applicable for other purposes than that'specifically pointed out herein.

. When the engine stopjs for. lack of'fuel,

it may be cranked by hand or by a self starter after the valve 50. is opened, until suflicient fuel is fed to the carbureter to permit the engine to run on its own power.

Having thus described my invention,

What I l im as new and desire to secur b Letters Patent is 2- 1. A 1 liquidicontrol aspirator and adapted to be inserted within a liquid holding receptacle, said closure having a liquid inlet passageway sealed by the liquid in the receptacle, 'means partially within the closure arranged to automatically device comprising a closure arrangedto beconnectedwith anclose said passageway when the liquid in the 1 receptacle falls below a predeterminedlevel, and a holder for sa d last mentioned means serving when connected therew th to prevent the closing of the passageway when the liquid in the receptacle stands below said level, said means being automatically released from said holder when the liquid in the receptacle rises above said level.

. 2. A liquid control devicecomprising an air tight tube arranged to be connected with an aspirator and adapted to be inserted in a liquid holding receptacle, said tube having an inlet passageway normally sealed by the liquid in the receptacle, means partially within the tube arranged to automatically close said passageway when the liquid in the receptacle falls below a predetermined level, a holder for said last mentioned means serving when connected therewith to prevent the closing of the passageway when the liquid in the receptacle is below said level, said means being automatically released from said holder when the liquidin said receptacle rises above said level, and a member normally closing an opening in said tube and permitting access thereto.

3. A liquid control device comprising a closure arranged to be connected with an aspirator and adapted to be inserted within a liquid holding receptacle,'said closure having an inlet passageway sealed by the liquid in the receptacle, a float controlled valve for said passageway having a stem disposed within the closure, said valve being adapted V to automatically efiect the closing of said passageway when the liquid in the receptacle falls below a predetermined level, and a holder for said stem serving when connected therewith to prevent said valve from closing said passageway when the liquid in the receptacle falls below said level, said stem be ing automatically releasedfrom said holder when the liquid in the receptacle rises above said level.

4. A liquid control device comprising a closure arranged to be connected with an aspirator and adapted to be inserted within a liquid holding receptacle, said closure having an inlet passageway sealed by the liquid in the receptacle, a float controlled valve for said passageway having a stem disposed within the closure said valve bein ada Jted to automatically effect the closing of said passageway when the liquid in the receptacle falls below a predetermined level, and a yieldable holder for said stem normally out of position to be engaged thereby and movable to connect with the stem to prevent said valve from closing said passageway when the liquid in the receptacle is below said level, said stem being automatically released from said holder when the liquid in the receptacle rises above, said level, said holder, when the stem is disconnected therefrom being automatically returned to normal position. i

5; A liquid control device comprising a closure insertible in a liquid holding receptacle and provided with inlet and outlet passageways, said outlet passageway being adapted for connection with an aspirator, a valve for controlling said inlet passageway, means partially within the closure for maintaining said valve open when the liquid in the receptacle stands above a predetermined level and manually controlled means for set tin the valve in open position from which position it is automatically released when the liquid rises above said level.

6. A liquid control device comprising a closure insertible in a liquid holding receptacle and provided with inlet and outlet passageways, said outlet passageway being adapted for connection to an aspirator, a valve for controlling said inlet passageway, means upon the closure ior maintaining said valve open when the liquid in the.

receptacle stands above a predetermined level, manually controlled means within the closure for setting the valve in open posisaid manually con tacle and provided with'inlet and" outlet,

passageways, an aspirator connected with said outlet passageway, means carriedv by the closure arranged to automatically close said inlet passageway when. the liquid falls below a predetermined level, and a holder within said closure for said last mentioned said closure for said last mentioned means serving when connected therewith to prevent the closure of said inlet passageway, sald means being automatlcally released from said holder when the liquid in the receptacle rises above a predetermined level,

and a removable member upon said closure adj acent said holder for rendering the latter accessible. k

9. A liquid control device comprising a closure insertible in liquid holding receptacle and provided with inletand outlet passageways, means carried the closure arranged to automatically close said inlet passageway when the liquid falls below a predetermined level, and a holder within said closure for said last mentioned means serving when connected therewith to. prevent the closing oflsaidinlet passageway, I

said means being automatically released from said holder when the liquid in the receptacle rises above a predetermined level.

means serving when connected therewith to prevent the closing of said inlet passageway, said means being automatically released from said yieldable holder when the liquid in the receptacle rises above a predetermined level' 11. A liquid control device comprising a liquid holding receptacle, a closure insert- -ible in said receptacle and provided with inlet and outlet passageways, an .aspirator connected with sa1d outlet passageway, a

valve for controlling said inletpassageway, means upon the closure for maintainmg sa1d valve open when the liquid in the receptacle stands above a predetermined level, said valve being adapted to close automatically when the liquid falls below said level, and manually controlled means wholly within the closure for setting the valve in open position from which it .is automatically .released when the liquid rises above said level.

12. A liquid controldevice comprising a liquid holding receptacle, a closure insertible in said receptacle and provided with inlet and outlet passageways, a valve for controlling said inlet passageway, means carried by the closure for maintaining said valve open when the. liquid in the receptacle stands above a predetermined level, said gvalve. being adapted to close automatically whenthe liquid falls below said'level, manually controlled means within the closure for setting the valve in open position from which it is automatically released when the 'liquidrises above said level, and a strainer for said closure.

13. In a liquid control device, the combination with a l1qu1d holding receptacle, a closure connected wlth and extending into said receptacle and having inlet and outlet passageways therein, a float controlled valve arranged to automatically close said inlet passageway when the llquid in the receptacle falls below a predetermined level, a stem connected with sa1d valve and projecting into said closure, a holder within the closure serving when connected with said stem to prevent the closing of the valve, said stem being automatically released from said holder when the liquid in the receptacle rises above a predetermined level,.and a removclose said-inlet. passageway when the liquid in the receptacle falls below a predetermined level, a stem connected with said valve and projecting into said closure, a V yieldable holder within theclosure serving when connected with said stem to prevent the closing of the valve, said stem being automatically released from said holder when the liquid in the receptacle rises above a predetermined level, and a removable member upon said closure permitting access to said stem.

15. The combination with the vacuum' fuel feed system for an internal combustion engine, automatic means for closing the system when the fuel supply reaches a predetermined minimum, manually controlled means for affecting the operation of said last mentioned means, and a removablesealing member for said system, normally rendering said manually controlled means in accessible. q

'16. A liquid controldevice comprising a casing adapted for connection with a liquid holding tank and an a'spirator, a removable cover for saidcasing, a tube eXtendingfr-om the casing, and havlng an opening in the end thereof, a valvejfor controlling. said opening,

a rod connected with said valve) and extending through said tube into the casing, a spring holder in' the casing adapted to engage said rodto hold it in position to maintain said valve in openpositioinand a float operatively connected with said rod and valve. for raising the same to eflecftthe release of the rod from the'holder, saiddevice being adapted for controllingthe discharge of liquid from said tank.- Y

11A liquid control device comprising a casing adapted for connection J with an aspirator and. having a vremovable cover thereon, a. tube communicating with said casing and extending therefrom, having a liquid inlet opening thereimavalve for controlling the opening, a rod connected with theyalve and extending upwardly through said, tube into the first-mentioned casing,

said rod having a'laterally bent portion-{at its upper end, a spring holder in' the casinghaving a notch 1n the upper end. thereof adapted to receive said laterally bent'portion of the rod, means for guiding the'rod within said tube, and a float for-raising said rod and servingto effect the release of said laterally bent portion from said spring holder. V. Y

20 i from said casing into said tank, a float conmeans within the casing for supporting said operating member in position to prevent the closing of the valve when the liquid "in said tank falls below said level, said operating member being automatically released by the action of said float when the liquid in the tank rises above said level.

19. In .a liquid control device, the combinationwith a liquid supply tank, a casing connected therewith, a tube extending trolled valve adapted to prevent the passage of liquid throughsaid tube when the'liquid in the tank falls below a predetermined level, a manuallycontrolled operating member connected with said valve and extending through said tube into said casing, a holder within the casing for supporting said operating member in position to prevent the closing of said valve, a removable air-tight cover for said casing by which the operating member is rendered accessible, and an aspirator connected with said casing, the replacement of said cover being necessitated to insure the functioning of the aspirator.

20. In a fuel. control device, the combination of a fuel supply tank, a casing adapted for connection therewith,ra tube extending from said easing into said tank, a float controlled valve for preventing the passage of fuel throughsaid tube when the fuel in the tank falls below a predetermined level,yan operating member connected with said valve and extending into said casing, yieldable means within the easingfor supporting said operating member in position to prevent the closing of said valve when the fuel in the tank falls below said predetermined level, said operating member being automatically released from said yielda'ble means when the fuel in the tank risesabove said prede- "termined level, an aspirator connected with said tube, and a strainer for preventing the passage of foreign matter to said aspirator. 21, Ina fuel control device, the combinationof a fuel supply tank, a tube projecting therein, a float controlled valve adapted to prevent the passage of fuel through said tube when the fuel in the tank falls below a predetermined level,an operating member for said valve extending into said tube, a holder for said operating member adapted to support thesame in position to prevent the dos ing of said valve when the fuel in the vtank falls below said predetermined level, said optrolled valve for preventing the passage of crating member being automatically released from said holderawhen the fuel in the tank rises above said level, and an aspirator connected with said tube.

In a fuel control device, the combination of a fuel supply tank, a tube projecting therein, a float controlled valve for said tube serving to prevent the passage of fuel through the tube when the fuel in the tank falls below a predetermined level, an operating member connected with said valve and extending into said tube, and a holder for said operating member adapted to rereleasably support the same in position to prevent the closing of said valve when the fuel in the tank falls below said predetermined level, said operating member being automatically released from said holder when the fuel in the tank rises above said level. v

23. In a fuel control device, the combination of a fuel supply tank, a tube connected therewith and projecting therein, a float confuel throughsaid tube when the fuel inthe tank falls below a predetermined level, an operatingmember'for said valve, a holder for said operatingmember, adapted to support the same in position to prevent the closing of the valve when the fuel in the 'tank falls below said level, said operating member being automatically released from said holder when the fuel rises above said level, an aspirator' connected with said tube, and a removable guard normally rendering said operating member inaccessible, said guard when removed serving to prevent the functioning of said aspirator, and being adapted when in normal position toseal said tube.

' 24. In a fuel control device, the combination of a fuel supply tank, a tube connected therewith and projecting therein, a float controlled valve adaptedto prevent the passage of fuel through said tube when the fuel in the tank falls below a predetermined level, an operating member connectediwith said valve, a holder for supporting said operating member in position to preventthe clos ing of the valve when thefuel in the tank falls below said level, said. operating memher being automatically released from said holder when the fuel in the tank rises above said level, a sealing member for said tube normally rendering said operating member 7 inaccessible, said sealing member beingrev,

- movable topermit the manual settingof said nected therewith, a tubeextending from said easing into said tank, afloat controlled valve for preventing the passage of fuel through said tube when the fuel in the tank falls below a predetermined level, a manually member adapted to retain the same in position to prevent the closing of said valve when the fuel in the tank falls below saidlevel, an

aspirator connected with-said casing, and a sealing member for said casing normally rendering said operating member inaccessible, said sealing member beingremovable tOPGImlt the setting of the operatmg member upon. said holder, and serving when reaspirator. V r v 1 26. In a fuel control device, the combinatio'n-of 'a fuel supply tank, a closure connectedrwith the tank and extending therein, a removable sealing member for said closure,

, an:v aspirator connected with the closure,

means normally permitting the flow of fuel through the closure'when the aspirator is m operatlon, sald means serving to auto- 7 'matically prevent the passing of fuel through? the-"closure when the fuel falls'below a predetermined level, and manually controlled means for establishing communication beitween the'closure and said tank after the fuelihas fallen below said level, said manually'controlled means being automatically released when the fuel in the tank risesabove said level, said sealing member normally render ng 'sald manually controlled means inaccessible, and serving when removed to 4,0 said'c'losure, float controlled means'for pre- "prevent the functioning of said'aspirator.

27. In a fuel control device, the combinaventing the passage of fuel through said closure when the fuel in'the tank falls be low a, predetermined level,"and manually "controlled means for setting said float control meansin position to permit'passage of fuel throughsaid closure, said manually controlled means being automatically released when'the fuel in the tank rises above said predetermined level, said removable member I normally rendermg said setting means 1naccessible, and serving when removed to render said aspirator ineffective. '28. In a fuel control device, the 'comblna- 'tion'with the vacuum fuel feed system of an; internal combustion engine and the fuelsupply tank therefor, of a closure extending into said supplyitankr and communicating withsaid fuel feed system, means normally permitting the passage of fuel through said 1 closure and automatically stoppingitsflow when .-it falls below a pre fdetermined level,

andmeans within'the' closure for. setting said last mentioned means in position to 7 permit the flow of the fuel through the closure, after ,it has descended to said'level,

said setting means being automatically released when the fuel in the tank rises above said level and beingaccessible only upon the removal of a sealing member for the closure. v

29. The combination of'a liquid holding tank,a tube projectingitherein having an inlet passageway adapted to be sealed by the liquid in the tank, an aspirator connected with the tube, means adapted'to automati- V ,cally close said passageway when the liquid moved to prevent the functioning of said in the tank' reaches a predetermined level,

said means being manually adjustable to open the passageway and adapted to be au- 'tomatically released from adjusted position when the liquid rises above a predetermined level within'the tank and a removable sea ling member for said tube normallyrendering said manually controlled-means inaccessible.

30. The combination of a liquid holding tank and "a suction producing apparatus for drawing the liquid from the tank, means movable automatically for preventing the reaches a predetermined minimum, manually controlled means f'or effecting operaflow of liquid from the tank when'thesupply tion;ofisaid last-mentioned means to permit the continued withdrawalof the liquid. from the-tank and l'a'removable sealing member for said suction apparatus normallyrender- 31'. vThe combination of a supply tank and means forforcing liquid there- 1 from, means connected'with said last mentioned means for stopping the flow of liquid from'the tank when it reaches'a pre-deterr'mined level therein, v{manually controlled means-connected with the last mentionedi means and adjustable to permit thecontank and a member normallyrendering. said tinued'withdrawal :of the; liquid from the manually controlled :means inaccessibleand movable to permit theloperation'of the same,

said 'movable'member rendering said liquid forcing means ineffective except when in from the tank when 7 it --reacl1es a zpredetermined level therein manuall'y controlled means; connected with said last mentionedmeans Eadjustable togpermit the. continued holder forsupporting{saidmanually controlled means in adjustedl position, from which it is automatically released when the liquid in the tank again rises 'abovei's'aid predetermined .level' and a member normally renderlng said manually controlled'means inaccessible and movable to permit. the man withdrawal of the liquid from thetank, a V

ual operation of the same, said removable member rendering said liquid forcing means inefieetive except when in normal position.

33. In a fuel feed system, a tank, a tube adapted to extend downwardly into said tank, said tube being provided with an enlarged head mounted in a hole in the top of the tank, a valve controlling communicathe tube, and an annular float surrounding 10 said tube and operatively connected to said valve, the outside diameter of said float be ing less than the outside diameter of said head.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature. 15

FRANCIS JERDONE, JR. 

